Bridgewater College Alumni Association

The BCAA was formed in 1899, believing that “the associations of school life are too precious to be allowed to die.” The organization has existed since then with the purposes of connecting alumni with one another and with the institution, and promoting the interest and welfare of Bridgewater College.

Nominate Bridgewater College Alumni Association Board of Directors

Directors are nominated by the entire alumni body to serve as their representatives for the alumni body. The Board is an advisory council to the Office of Alumni Relations, particularly, but also to Bridgewater College, regarding the needs and desires of the BC alumni. Board members provide valuable assistance to the office of alumni relations staff, helping this office meet its goals and objectives. The support of board members is vital to extending the outreach of the College staff. The Board of Directors meets multiple times per year and is proud to represent you and your concerns.

We hope you will nominate an alumnus to serve on the BC Alumni Association Board of Directors.  Please use our online nomination form or contact the Office of Alumni Relations.

Amanda Curry Graziano
Class of 1995
President

more about Amanda

A 1995 graduate of BC, Amanda earned her bachelor of science in psychology and early education. She also went on to earn her master of education in reading from James Madison University. Amanda works as an Early Literacy Coach at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Literacy Institute, and she is also an Orton Gillingham tutor in Richmond, Va. During her time at BC, Amanda served on the Student Senate and SVEA, worked on the Ripples yearbook and was a Resident Counselor. She was also a representative of the Homecoming Court. Amanda is part of a BC Legacy Family, as she is a second-generation BC attendee/graduate, and she serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Amanda is a member of Saint Bridget Church, Gamma Psi and the Capital Pediatrics Project. She and her husband, John, live in Richmond, Va.

Tina Brockman
Class of 2011
President-Elect

more about Tina

Tina, a 2011 graduate of BC, earned a B.A. in both biology and Spanish. She went on to earn her doctor of pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. She currently works as a pharmacist at Brightview Health in Roanoke, Va. She also works as an emotional wellness coach with Lyra Health in Roanoke. While a student at BC, Tina was a member of many clubs and campus organizations, including Concert Choir, Chorale, Oratorio Choir, the Brethren Student Movement, TriBeta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega, Spanish Club and the Nininger Nuts. Her husband, Paul Brockman ’12, and father-in-law, Bob Brockman ’80, are also BC graduates. Tina serves as a board member and Sunday School teacher at the First Church of the Brethren, performs with the Roanoke Baroque Chamber Choir, and is a member of the triathlon group, Sports Broads. She and her husband, Paul, reside in Roanoke, Va.

Ronnie Howard
Class of 1994
Secretary

more about Ronnie

Ronnie graduated with a BS in Economics and Business Administration and was on the football team for four years. He now works as a Senior Cost Analyst for Augusta Health Medical Center. He is married to Melissa Pence-Howard ’96 and they have two children, Kaylin and Lawson. His daughter, Kaylin, will graduate with the Class of 2024 and is a fourth generation at BC.

“It’s home away from home for our family and looking forward staying apart of BC via BCAA.

Jill Dellinger Early
Class of 1991
Past President

more about Jill

Jill graduated Bridgewater College with a degree in biology. She continued her education at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., graduating with a master of science in quality engineering. She is currently a Quality Manager with the McKesson Corporation. While a student at BC, Jill was an active member of both the women’s volleyball and women’s lacrosse teams, served on the Student Senate, was class secretary and a student counselor, and was also involved with the Lambda and Pre-Med Societies. Jill serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and is an active presence at many BCAA events, including the Career Fair and Athletic Career Fair. In her community, Jill works with Meals on Wheels and is a member of her church choir. She and her husband, Kevin, reside in Fishersville, Va. 

Beth Alvis
Class of 1994

more about Beth

Beth graduated with a degree in Biology. Having a passion for children she obtained her elementary education certification from Mary Baldwin University. Beth has been teaching for 24 years with Goochland County Public Schools. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 27 years and have identical twin 18 year old girls. Beth is currently working on a Master’s in Degree in Educational Leadership at JMU.

“My favorite memories from Bridgewater are the lifetime friends that I made and small class sizes which made it possible to get to know the faculty and advisors better. I loved being Class President my Junior and Senior years. I have a passion for Bridgewater College and I am excited to continue to make connections with Alumni and have them connect with current events and the vision of the college.”

Nina Andrews
Class of 2023

more about Nina

Nina graduated in April of 2023 with a degree in Communication, Technology and Culture. Nina is currently proudly serving as the Permanent Class President on the Bridgewater College Alumni Association Board. During her undergraduate career, she was a Digital Scholarship Guru, BC Voice Social Media Manager and Senior Class President. Nina works as the Continuing Education & Events Manager at Eastern Mennonite University. In her free time, she loves to sing, read and spend time with her family.

Dan Atwell
Class of 1997

more about Dan

Dr. Daniel Atwell graduated with a Health Science degree. He met his beautiful wife Shannon Harrison ’97 in their 2nd year at BC. Upon graduation, he pursued a Doctorate of Chiropractic in St. Louis Missouri from Logan University. Dr. Atwell now resides in Penn Laird with his wife and three children Christian, Abrey, and Gabrielle ’26. He opened his private family chiropractic, wellness, and sports injury Chiropractic practice in Harrisonburg in 2001.

“I look forward to contributing to the growth and expansion of our students connections with alumni and engaging our alumni to get connected for our Alumni events! It’s a great day to be an EAGLE!”

Lara Bissett
Class of 1997

more about Lara

Lara graduated with a degree in Biology and continued her education at West Virginia University earning a graduate degree in Law in 2000. She is an Administrative Law Judge, wife, and mother of two daughters, living in Charleston, WV.

“My favorite memory from BC has to be the big snow storm of 1996. We were all stuck on campus, eating cereal and bagels 3 meals a day, prank calling each other, and attempting to sled on cafeteria trays. I’m not sure Joan the Clicker Lady ever forgave us for destroying her trays.”

Brent Darsh
Class of 2008

Bio coming soon.

Andrew (Andy) Durdock
Class of 1978

Bio coming soon.

Laura Farmer
Class of 2003

more about Laura

Laura is a mom to three young children and works as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing therapy to individuals and couples. She has a private practice in Roanoke, Va., and offers virtual consultation and training. She specializes in the use of expressive therapies, trauma healing, and subconscious change modalities. She loves her work because she is always learning, studying, and witnessing incredible transformations. She also leads a volunteer organization called Youth SAGA, a peer-based support group for LGBTQ+ youth. In her down time she enjoys writing, gardening and playing volleyball.

Some of her best memories from BC involve playing volleyball for Coach Heishman. “We won the ODAC conference championship in 2000 and competed in the NCAA tournament in Atlanta. I have at least a few nicknames I earned in my years of playing volleyball at BC and we had a number of great traditions I will always cherish.”

Megan Furlong
Class of 2007

more about Megan

Megan graduated with a Business Administration degree (concentration in Accounting) and is a CPA & Tax Partner at YHB CPAs and Consultants (Top 100 accounting firms in US).

“I love everything about BC! The small school atmosphere that truly feels like home! I would encourage current students and my fellow alumni to get involved in community activities. You can make a difference!”

Johnny Haizel-Cobbina
Class of 2019

more about Johnny

Johnny graduated with a major in information systems management. He is currently a supervisor in analytics and business intelligence for a bank in the Northern Virginia area.
“In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, I love everything about aviation. If I am not doing one of these three, I am playing the drums, bass guitar or indulging in the globally enjoyed pastime activity of Netflix. I loved my time at Bridgewater, the connections and relationships I formed during my time at the BC continue to be some of the most important and impactful to date.”

Leslie House
Class of 1987

more about Leslie

Leslie graduated with a Business Administration degree and has spent her career working in accounting, supply chain/sales forecast specialist, payroll, and database administrator. Leslie lives in Waynesboro, Virginia with her husband, James.

“I would like to encourage all fellow alumni to stay active in the alumni events at BC and to visit the campus to see the renovations which have taken place.”

Stephen Howard
Class of 2012

more about Stephen

Stephen graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and works with Nielsen Builders as well as helping to run a small business, HowardTime Productions, with his wife Avenlea Thomas Howard ’13.

“I love BC because it truly is a “bridge” for those that allow it to be. Bridgewater for me was a place that held me up over troubled water, and helped connect me to awesome people and my purpose.”

Amanda Kelley
Class of 2019

Bio coming soon.

Autumn Szewczyk Mohr
Class of 2011

more about Autumn

Autumn graduated with a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies. She currently lives in Winchester with her fiancé Tom. Autumn manages a homeowners’ association in Alexandria, Va., and in her spare time enjoys skiing, traveling, practicing piano and going to Caps games.

“I’m really looking forward to being on the Alumni Board and getting to see BC from a different perspective. I work with a board in my job every day, and I think it will be fun to be on the other side of the table and contribute my small part in keeping BC at the top and helping it grow and improve every year!”

Erica Nelson
Class of 2025

Bio coming soon.

Allison Tyler
Class of 1995

Bio coming soon.

Lexia Werner
Class of 2022

more about Lexia

Lexia graduated from BC with a degree in elementary education and a minor in Spanish in 2022. She is the Permanent Class President for the Class of 2022. She is a 2nd grade teacher in Harrisonburg and teaches an acro class at InMotion School of Dance. Lexia is also the cheerleading coach at BC. One thing she loves about BC is the new Learning Commons and the commitment from professors (especially within her major) to stay in contact as she starts her career. A piece of advice she would like to share with fellow alumni is to reach out to close friends in your graduating class right after graduation and plan to come to 2-3 BC events in the next year after graduation. This really helped get people back on campus for events.

Emily Wylie
Class of 2024

Bio coming soon.

Kristin Young
Class of 2005

Bio coming soon.

Alumni Scholarship

In 2007, the Bridgewater College Alumni Association founded the Alumni Scholarship, which is given annually at the College Awards Ceremony, held near the conclusion of the spring semester. The scholarship provides awards to students meeting the award criteria with a preference for a student whose parent or parents attended Bridgewater College.

Learn More

BCAA Past Presidents

Year	President
2023-25	Jill Dellinger Early ‘91
2021-23	Bradley S. Hallock ‘86
2019-21	R. Jeff Postans ’79
2017-19	Jeff Miller ’93
2015-17	Sherrie K. Wampler ’85
2014-15	Melvin Williams ’95
2013-14	Ina Fitzwater Baker ‘69
2012-13	Anita Hall Waters ‘78
2011-12	Debby Moyer Allen ’78
2010-11	R. Ted Barker ‘79
2009-10	Krista Kerns Shonk ’98
2008-09	Eric R. Gehr, ’72
2007-08	Robert E. Thurston ’81
2006-07	Kathy G. Wright ’81
2005-06	W. Craig Waters ’78
2004-05	Jeffrey McCartney ’77
2003-04	* A. Edward Burgess, ’62
2002-03	Catherine Slusher ’80
2001-02	Geraldine Garber Rigney ’74
2000-01	R. Alan Shull ’80
1999-00	William S. Earhart ’66
1998-99	Ellie Hodge Draper Flory ’72
1997-98	* H. Harold Lehman ’56
1996-97	Beverly Thompson Armbruster ’75
1995-96	* John B. Curry II ’66
1994-95	Mary Hooker Weybright, ’54
1993-94	Curtis B. Nolley ’76
1991-92	Robert I. Stolzman ’83
1990-91	* Benny D. Gunter ’56
1989-90	Lawrence M. Johnson ’75
1988-89	Marion F. “Bo” Trumbo ’74
1987-88	* Doris Niswander Albaugh, ’55
1986-87	Mensel D. Dean Jr. ’67
1985-86	Allen F. Schwender ’75
1984-85	James E. Upperman ’68
1983-84	Jerry M. Wampler ’59
1982-83	* Richard A. Claybrook Jr. ’74
1981-82	Ellen K. Layman ’65
1980-81	Jack W. Heintzleman ’56
1979-80	* Lavonne Ikenberry Grubb ’59
1978-79	* Anna Myers Harman ’35
1977-78	Fred A. Diehl ’60
1976-77	Phillip C. Stone ’65
1975-76	Violet Siron Cox ’59
1974-75	* R. Coleman Reid ’60
1973-74	James L. Keeler ’57
1972-73	Nathan H. Miller ’65
1970-71	* W. Wallace Hatcher ’55
1969-70	* Harold D. Smith ’43
1967-68	* R. Lowell Wine ’41
1964-65	* Jesse D. Robertson ’45

* Deceased

BCAA Bylaws and Constitution